Barnett Rubin, an expert on Afghanistan at New York University, says leaders in Washington "utterly failed" to understand what was needed after the Taliban rout, which started with airstrikes on Oct. 7, 2001, less than a month after the Sept. 11 attacks in Washington and New York. "The Bush administration did not see Afghanistan as a long-term commitment, and its leaders deceived themselves into thinking they had won an irreversible victory. They did not consider Afghanistan important and always intended to focus on Iraq," he said. "Now the U.S. and international community have fallen way behind, and the Taliban are winning strategically ... " Journalist James Rupert, head of Newsday's international bureau in Islamabad, Pakistan began his career abroad as a Peace Corps volunteer, teaching mechanics and welding in Morocco.

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Six years after U.S. bombs began falling on the Taliban government and its al-Qaida guests, a suicide car bomber attacked an American military convoy on the road to Kabul's airport yesterday, killing a U.S. soldier and four Afghans, officials said.

Four Afghans were killed and 12 wounded in the attack, which was against U.S. troops who are responsible for training the Afghan military and police.

The United States has 25,000 soldiers in Afghanistan and other NATO nations have 25,000 -- more than three times the number of international troops four years ago when the Taliban appeared defeated. The Islamic militia has come roaring back, with 100 suicide attacks in 2007 -- the bloodiest year yet.

Some 5,100 people -- mostly militants -- have died violently this year, compared with 4,000 in all of last year, according to an Associated Press count. Some 87 U.S. troops have died so far this year; 90 were killed in 2006.

As evidenced by the sprawling American base at Bagram, the United States is planning for a long stay. Envisioned as a temporary home for invading U.S. forces, the former Soviet outpost in the shadow of the towering Hindu Kush mountains is growing by nearly a third. "We've grown in our commitment ... ," said Bagram's Col. Jonathan Ives. Another brigade is arriving and new barracks are being built, he said, "So this is going to become a long-term base for us."

Barnett Rubin, an expert on Afghanistan at New York University, says leaders in Washington "utterly failed" to understand what was needed after the Taliban rout, which started with airstrikes on Oct. 7, 2001, less than a month after the Sept. 11 attacks in Washington and New York.

"The Bush administration did not see Afghanistan as a long-term commitment, and its leaders deceived themselves into thinking they had won an irreversible victory. They did not consider Afghanistan important and always intended to focus on Iraq," he said. "Now the U.S. and international community have fallen way behind, and the Taliban are winning strategically ... "

Wide areas of the south are controlled by the Taliban, and the fighting is migrating north. Osama bin Laden, whose presence was a trigger for the U.S.-led attack, is at large, possibly in the mountains along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Still, U.S. commanders point out that more than 50 mid- and high-level Taliban commanders have been killed this year, causing at least a temporary disruption in the militants' abilities.

"Our commitment to [Afghanistan's military] is really saying we will be here until you have the security and stability that allows you to be ... on your own," Ives said, "and if that's 10 years, then it's 10 years. But I think the thing is we're looking to help them as much as we can."

What is the greatest threat facing us now? "People will say it's terrorism. But are there any terrorists in the world who can change the American way of life or our political system? No. Can they knock down a building? Yes. Can they kill somebody? Yes. But can they change us? No. Only we can change ourselves. So what is the great threat we are facing? I would approach this differently, in almost Marshall-like terms. What are the great opportunities out there - ones that we can take advantage of?" Read more.

Paul Theroux: Peace Corps WriterPaul Theroux began by writing about the life he knew in Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer. His first first three novels are set in Africa and two of his later novels recast his Peace Corps tour as fiction. Read about how Theroux involved himself with rebel politicians, was expelled from Malawi, and how the Peace Corps tried to ruin him financially in John Coyne's analysis and appreciation of one of the greatest American writers of his generation (who also happens to be an RPCV).

Dodd issues call for National ServiceStanding on the steps of the Nashua City Hall where JFK kicked off his campaign in 1960, Presidential Candidate Chris Dodd issued a call for National Service. "Like thousands of others, I heard President Kennedy's words and a short time later joined the Peace Corps." Dodd said his goal is to see 40 million people volunteering in some form or another by 2020. "We have an appetite for service. We like to be asked to roll up our sleeves and make a contribution," he said. "We haven't been asked in a long time."

Public diplomacy rests on sound public policyWhen President Kennedy spoke of "a long twilight struggle," and challenged the country to "ask not," he signaled that the Cold War was the challenge and framework defining US foreign policy. The current challenge is not a struggle against a totalitarian foe. It is not a battle against an enemy called "Islamofascism." From these false assumptions flow false choices, including the false choice between law enforcement and war. Instead, law enforcement and military force both must be essential instruments, along with diplomacy, including public diplomacy. But public diplomacy rests on policy, and to begin with, the policy must be sound. Read more.

Ambassador revokes clearance for PC DirectorA post made on PCOL from volunteers in Tanzania alleges that Ambassador Retzer has acted improperly in revoking the country clearance of Country Director Christine Djondo. A statement from Peace Corps' Press Office says that the Peace Corps strongly disagrees with the ambassador’s decision. On June 8 the White House announced that Retzer is being replaced as Ambassador. Latest: Senator Dodd has placed a hold on Mark Green's nomination to be Ambassador to Tanzania.

Peace Corps FunniesA PCV writing home? Our editor hard at work? Take a look at our Peace Corps Funnies and Peace Corps Cartoons and see why Peace Corps Volunteers say that sometimes a touch of levity can be one of the best ways of dealing with frustrations in the field. Read what RPCVs say about the lighter side of life in the Peace Corps and see why irreverent observations can often contain more than a grain of truth. We'll supply the photos. You supply the captions.

PCOL serves half millionPCOL's readership for April exceeded 525,000 visitors - a 50% increase over last year. This year also saw the advent of a new web site: Peace Corps News that together with the Peace Corps Library and History of the Peace Corps serve 17,000 RPCVs, Staff, and Friends of the Peace Corps every day. Thanks for making PCOL your source of news for the Peace Corps community. Read more.

Suspect confesses in murder of PCVSearch parties in the Philippines discovered the body of Peace Corps Volunteer Julia Campbell near Barangay Batad, Banaue town on April 17. Director Tschetter expressed his sorrow at learning the news. “Julia was a proud member of the Peace Corps family, and she contributed greatly to the lives of Filipino citizens in Donsol, Sorsogon, where she served,” he said. Latest: Suspect Juan Duntugan admits to killing Campbell. Leave your thoughts and condolences .

He served with honorOne year ago, Staff Sgt. Robert J. Paul (RPCV Kenya) carried on an ongoing dialog on this website on the military and the peace corps and his role as a member of a Civil Affairs Team in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have just received a report that Sargeant Paul has been killed by a car bomb in Kabul. Words cannot express our feeling of loss for this tremendous injury to the entire RPCV community. Most of us didn't know him personally but we knew him from his words. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. He was one of ours and he served with honor.

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Story Source: Newsday

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Afghanistan; Figures; COS - Morocco; Journalism

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